3-Day Walk for the Cure

Few people would associate walking 60 miles in 3 days as lucky. Even fewer connect breast cancer with lucky.

Yet talk with a breast cancer survivor and most will say just that. How lucky they are.

Amazing. Simply amazing.

Lucky #13

I dubbed my participation in this year’s 3-Day Walk for the Cure as my Lucky #13.

2016 is the 13th anniversary of my first Walk.  And what a journey it’s been.

My wonderful contributors have ensured my participation again by helping me reach the $2,300 minimum required to walk. And it’s only June!

So, once again, this Old Lady Walking is strapping on her MBTs and joining my fabulous teammates in another walk in my beloved San Diego.

In keeping with the theme, I thought I’d share 13 ways the 3-Day Walks have been lucky for me.

#1 – My teammates

If you follow this blog, you have read how I describe meeting my teammates.

They walked right into my heart.

Each is special in her own way and I feel blessed every day for the 3-Day Walk that brought us together. We don’t all walk every year but even one Walk has connected us forever.

I am lucky to have these ladies in my life.

• Abby
• Beth
• Diane
• Holly
• Jamie
• Jana
• Jennifer
• Julie
• Kristin
• Lauren
• Martina
• Michelle
• Penny
• Suzanne

#2 – My contributors

I hate asking people for money. Okay, except for my business writing services. From the very beginning, my contributors humbled me with their generosity and support way beyond a single event.

A surprising twist to my asking (at times, groveling) for donations is discovering how many people cancer has affected. My contributors themselves or their loved ones – friends and families – so many touched by cancer.

Is it any wonder why I cannot walk away?

Thanks to this year’s contributors (so far).

• Ada Kersey
• Barb Lewis
• Bruce Cutting
• Chad Forester
• Cindy Simmons
• Courtney Lercara
• Elaine Conway
• Emily Fowler
• Jackie Harris
• Jeffrey Friedli
• Judi DiMatteo
• Judy Craig
• Julie Ewert
• Kathy Slothour
• Ken Lautsch
• Kevin P. Miller
• Kim Lemon
• Laura Wiggins
• Lori Widmer
• Martha Giffen
• Mitchell Allen
• Nicky Parry
• Rachel Marturello
• Randa Forrester
• Rosemary Lopez
• Sharon Hurley Hall
• Tammy Reed
• Terri Parsons
• Vince Williams

#3 – 3-Day walkers

At my first Walk in 2003, I foolishly believed I would be walking it alone. A colleague who had planned on walking, broke her ankle two weeks before the Walk. What some people won’t do to avoid walking 60 miles. 😉

You soon learn at the 3-Day Walk, you are never alone. Not simply because there are thousands of walkers. But rather, 3-Day walkers open their arms and embrace all who would join them on the incredible journey.

Social media has expanded our reach and connects us to other 3-Day walkers (whom we’ve never met) but who share an understanding of why we walk.

60 miles. 3 days. We are 3-Day walkers.

#4 – 3-Day crew/volunteers

Remember how I told you I hated asking people for money? It was that dread that led me to sign up as a crew member for my second Walk (in 2004).

I quickly discovered crewing is hard. Really, really hard.

Despite long hours and high levels of physical activity, 3-Day crew and volunteers are always there with a ready smile, a hug or a sincere thank-you.

3-Day walkers know it should be us giving out the thank-yous. 3-Day crew and volunteers make walking 60 miles a breeze. Seriously.

#5 – The San Diego community

I admit I’m biased. I lived in San Diego for over 20 years. I still lived in San Diego for my first six 3-Day Walks. Even after moving from San Diego in 2009, I return every year for another 3-Day Walk.

The San Diego community simply rocks. Walkers who have walked every city say the same thing. Just when you think you cannot take another step, you round the corner and see a mass of San Diego supporters. Cheering – giving you food – beads – pins – sun screen – water – and most of all – their love and support. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

#6 – The experience

Who knew when I took that first step in 2003 that I would be going for Lucky #13? I never thought beyond the first 60 miles.

Once you have done one, the 3-Day Walk reels you in. The entire experience opens the door to possibilities.

• Physically challenging yourself to something you never dreamed you do once, much less multiple times
• Hearing stories that break your heart, elevate your soul, and put life in perspective
• Sharing the full spectrum of emotions through laughter, tears, and determination

#7 – Photographic memories

Photos, videos, and our wonderful digital world help this boomer brain capture the memories of walking 60 miles in 3 days. My newsletters and this blog add some of the details.

But there will always be those memories etched in my heart that help me remember the power of love.

3-Day Walk for the Cure – 201…

#8 – Awareness

The idea behind the 3-Day Walks was to create awareness regarding the fight against breast cancer. However, the 3-Day Walks do much more than that.

They build an awareness of self. An awareness of something bigger than the day-to-day hassles of life.

#9 – My health

Another gift of the 3-Day Walks is the return of my good health. Call it training. Call it desperation to get up those hills. Being healthy feels great.

#10 – The 3-Day coaches

Can you imagine having to coordinate a 3-Day Walk?

• Food, water, sports drinks
• Porta-potties, showers, towels, supplies
• Route signs, traffic control, sweep vans
• Tent City, first aid, entertainment
• Registration, travel

Mind-boggling. And if a walker needs help before all that? We go to our 3-Day coaches. Their good spirits, resourcefulness, and patience is unbelievable.

#11 – Selective memory

There are certain memories from the 3-Day I am happy to release. Like a blister so bad, I walked the last 3 miles in my stockinged feet. Or the feel of a driving rain and whipping wind in the Monsoon of 2010.

It’s not that I’ve forgotten these times. It’s just the outcome is much more important. Kind of like having a baby (I would imagine).

P.S. That doesn’t mean I didn’t whine about it at the time. 😉

I am lucky to remember what’s important.

#12 – Getting smarter

Yes, I am lucky to say we have gotten smarter about walking 60 miles in 3 days.

• Dumping a too-heavy fanny pack
• Carrying only the essentials (you know, like lip gloss)
• Taking advantage of the wonderful San Diego restaurants

And the smartest thing my teammates and I did? Schedule a spa day the Monday after the Walk. Can’t believe it took us years to figure that out.

#13 – Doing it all over again

I am incredibly lucky to keep doing this all over again. It has been life-changing. As I often say, as long as this 60-something body supports me, I will walk 60 miles in 3 days. And know how incredibly lucky I am.

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Walk on.

The drama of the MBTs goes on.

If you have followed this blog, you read about MBTs (Masai Barefoot Technology).

The funny-looking sandal, known as MBTs, became my Sandal Saviors.

• My history of blossoming blisters – banished
• Lost toenails from pavement slapping – gone
• Walking to MBTs Nirvana was mine

Then the company went bankrupt.

MBTs Nirvana Interrupted

What followed the bankruptcy was the picture of an Old Lady Walking, desperate for MBTs.

• I scurried over ads of leftover stock, trying to avoid knock-off imposters
• I wailed when reputable sellers ran out of my size

Eventually, a U.S. store returned. But their sandals were not the same.

• I hated the women’s version with a strap criss-crossing my instep
• Not a good idea to bind feet that walk 60 miles in 3 days
• The introduction of leather sandals did nothing to boost my morale

I received a survey from the company. I begged them to bring back a non-leather sandal that worked better for walking 60 miles.

And you know what? They did!

I am sure it is because I asked.

Not Quite MBTs Nirvana

The image above is of MBTs Lila 6 Sport Sandal. It’s very similar to earlier sandals I had.

So, what’s the problem?

A simple click-and-buy was not in the cards.

• The U.S. store did not have my size
• They had no idea when (or if) they would get them in
• I found a reputable seller on Amazon
• They had the size I ordered for my last pair (Yay!)
• When they arrived, they were way too big (Boo!)

I ordered a smaller size and just received them. Let’s just say I have mixed feelings.

• Non-leather material  √
• Size that fits √
• Upper straps about 1/3 the size 🙁

I hope Lucky #13 Walk doesn’t have me falling off my MBTs. With those San Diego hills, that could be a dangerous roll.

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Walk on.

I strive for a walking start.

Some may get a running start. Nope, not me.

• I do NOT run
• Not if I can help it
• I walk and walk some more

Hoping to get a good walking start on the 2016 3-Day Walk, I purchased a Fitbit tracker before the 2015 Walk.

I purchased it because I was developing a bad habit of the post 3-Day winter blues.

My Walking Start Lag

What are the post 3-Day winter blues? Mostly, its inactivity.

In 2016, I will be participating in my 13th 3-Day Walk for the Cure. All 13 Walks have been in San Diego, where I lived for over 20 years until 2009.

The San Diego 3-Day (#SD3Day to Twitterdom) has always been the last of the 3-Day Walks for the year.

At first, it was in October. For the last several years, it has been in November, often the week before Thanksgiving.

I always feel so energized when I get back home with the best laid plans. I walk all year long. And walking 60 miles in 3 days only inspires me to do more.

I know. I’m a bit strange.

Then reality hits. I am not living in San Diego any more.

When you go from sizzling to freezing in the course of a single plane ride, walking outside is not so appealing. I had to find a way to overcome my walking start lag to a new year.

Enter what I call my walking start nag.

Enter the Walking Start Nag

That’s right. My Fitbit is my nag to keeping up. By having a minimum 10,000 steps per day goal, I no longer put up with “too cold” excuses.

I wasn’t sure how successfully my nag would work. It must be my competitive nature pushing me to reach that &*%$ 10,000 steps goal.

When the weather froze, I hit the mall. Round and round we go. Upstairs, downstairs, steps, steps, steps.

Was it boring? You bet. But the nag worked.

• At times, I did steps in the house
• Now, THAT’s boring!
• Other times, I dressed like Nanook – anything to avoid the mall

So as Spring begins its rebirth, I take solace in knowing the nag worked. How long before you think I tune her out?

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Walk on.

The 2015 3-Day Walk for the Cure is under the feet and the 12th since I first strapped on my walking shoes.

Mother Nature sure likes to play with this Old Lady Walking.

2015 was the hottest Walk my teammates and I walked in. With temperatures in the low 80s and the famous San Diego hills, water sprays were welcomed as we walked.

Then I returned to Boise. Snow started falling the night I arrived and the temperature in the low 30s has been steadily falling.

Check out this morning’s temperature.

But it’s all good. We raised $5.5 million for breast cancer research.

We had a smaller team this year. Just like the early years.

As always, we met so many fascinating people. One couple walking wore matching t-shirts. Hers had her name, Toni. Her husband’s shirt read Toni’s Tiger.

Turns out that has been his nickname since birth. Talk about a meant-to-be relationship.

Another walker sure gave this Old Lady Walking hope. She is 72 years of age, a still active school psychologist, and reported she was having a much better walk since she had her knee replacement.

Never underestimate the power of determination.

I put together this slideshow to share some of the great memories. If you have boomer eyes like mine, you can click on the link above the video to get a larger view at authorstream.

 

Thank you again to all of my contributors. You rock! I could not do this without you. I’m already signed up for next year so stay tuned.

Wishing you all happy holidays and a healthy 2016!

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Walk on.

 

Funny thing about the fight against breast cancer. You participate in what you think will be a single event and then – BAM.

You’re hooked.

That’s how the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure started. I signed up for what I thought would be my only 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk and then – BAM.

In November, I am doing number twelve.

After moving to Boise in the latter part of 2009, I continued to go back to San Diego for the 3-Day Walk. I also found another event to participate in.

Each year, the local paper publishes its Idaho Statesman Pink Edition. That’s right. Cover-to-cover of pink paper. The paper invites residents to share their stories. The stories from survivors and families who lost loved ones are truly inspiring.

I submitted what I thought would be my only entry three years ago. You guessed it. I got hooked. The following is my 2015 entry.

Idaho Statesman Pink Edition

Cancer is not done yet, so neither am I

by Cathy Miller

The call was an unwelcome reminder. Crazy as it sounds, it is easy to take a 60-mile, three-day walk to fight breast cancer for granted. After all, I completed 11 walks, and the survivors I know continue to thrive.

Then I received the call. A friend I have known for 40 years called to tell me she has breast cancer. Once again, cancer has shown it is not done yet.

I started this journey with a similar call. Living in San Diego at the time, my mom called to tell me my sister, Terry, had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I felt so helpless. Up to that point, I did not personally know anyone with breast cancer. Now cancer had become very personal.

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk first took place in my home city of San Diego in 2003. I signed up to walk what would become the first of many. I had not planned beyond the first. Then I met teammates, three of whom were breast cancer survivors. I heard all the stories, shared over three days of hills, laughter and tears. How could I walk away? Cancer was not done yet.

I moved to Boise in 2009 but continue to go back to San Diego every year to walk in another 60-mile walk. When I go back, I take vacation time the week before the walk and stay with my longtime friend, Linda.

Linda has generously contributed every year to the funds I need to raise to participate. She showers my teammates and I with small gifts, including our favorite pink bling lanyards that hold our credentials for the walk. We did not plan for her to participate in this very personal way. Linda was not supposed to get breast cancer.

That’s the nature of cancer. Just when you think you have it beat, cancer proves it is not done yet. Cancer becomes very personal. As I celebrate each year my sister and teammates are cancer-free, I must now add Linda’s name to those I wear on the walk . They include names of those battling this disease, survivors and those who sadly lost the battle.

Complacency about another walk is gone. The donning of pink is more than a fashion statement. Once again, the reason this 60-plus-year-old woman walks is made painfully clear. Cancer is not done yet and neither am I.

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Walk on.